When
the
temperature
falls
below
freezing,
if
there
is
water
inside
your
engine
or
gearcase,
the
result
can
be
a
cracked
block
or
housing
and
a
repair
bill
that
runs
into
the
thousands.
It
is
easy
enough
to
prevent
this
unhappy
circumstance
by
putting
your
boat's
engine
to
bed
properly
at
the
end
of
the
boating
season.
Prepare
a
checklist
As
with
laying-up
your
boat
for
the
season,
it
is
essential
not
to
miss
a
step.
If
your
owner's
manual
includes
winterizing
instructions,
that
is
the
procedure
you
should
follow.
In
the
absence
of
manufacturer's
instructions,
here
are
two
generic
checklists
for
engine
winterizing,
one
for
outboards
and
one
for
inboards.
Some
steps
on
these
lists
may
not
apply
to
your
particular
engine
Freshwater
flush
Use
a
flushing
attachment,
or
run
the
outboard
in
a
tank
filled
with
clean
water.
Empty
fuel
lines
and
carburetors
While
the
engine
is
still
running,
disconnect
the
fuel
line
from
the
engine.
When
the
engine
dies,
the
fuel
delivery
components
will
be
empty,
preventing
gums
from
forming
in
the
stagnant
gasoline
and
clogging
lines
and
jets
or
injectors.
Fog
the
carburetor
intake(s)
Before
the
engine
runs
out
of
fuel,
spray
fogging
oil
into
the
carburetor(s).
Fogging
oil
is
an
anticorrosive
that
will
protect
the
internal
surfaces
of
the
carburetor
and
the
cylinders.
Drain
cooling
passages
Disconnect
the
flush
attachment
or
remove
the
motor
from
the
flush
tank.
With
the
motor
upright,
let
all
water
drain
out
of
the
pick-up.
Open
drain
plugs
(if
any--see
your
owner's
manual)
to
empty
the
powerhead
and
intermediate
housing.
Crank
the
motor
a
couple
of
times
by
hand
or
"bump"
it
with
the
starter
to
empty
the
water
pump.
If
the
motor
will
be
exposed
to
freezing
conditions,
it
is
essential
that
no
water
remains
inside.
Fog
the
cylinders
Remove
the
spark
plugs
and
spray
fogging
oil
into
the
holes
to
coat
the
interior
surfaces
of
the
cylinders.
Rotate
the
flywheel
a
few
turns
to
spread
the
oil
on
the
cylinder
walls.
While
the
plugs
are
out
is
the
time
to
check
them
and
regap
or
replace
as
required.
Reinstall
the
spark
plugs.
Stabilize
the
fuel
Some
boaters
prefer
to
store
the
tanks
full
to
minimize
the
potential
for
condensation.
I
find
a
cupful
of
water
in
the
tank
in
the
spring
a
lot
smaller
problem
than
50
gallons
of
bad
gasoline,
but
if
you
want
to
leave
the
tank
full,
pour
in
an
appropriate
amount
of
gasoline
stabilizer
to
combat
the
formation
of
passage-clogging
gums
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